II . Translate into English

1.    Москва - крупнейший город в России. Он расположен на семи холмах по берегам Москвы-реки.

2.    1147 - первое упоминание Москвы в летописях.

3.    Город был укреплен и стал торговым центром в конце 12 века.

4.    Москва - местонахождение правительства Российской Федерации.

5.    В Москве находится около 80 НИИ, Академия наук, Российская государственная библиотека.

6.    Самые большие музеи и лучшие театры находятся в Москве.

 

Text 2

The Kremlin.

The Kremlin is now both a piece of living history and an ensemble of masterpieces of Russian architecture. It is surrounded by the high red-brick walls, reinforced by 20 tower, five of which are also gates. The total length of the walls equals 2,25 kilometers.

Like the Tower of London, the Kremlin was used as a fortress and a sovereign’s residence. Now it houses the President’s office and a number of museums including the Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund.

Among the ancient buildings in the Kremlin are the churches and a tall tower over 80 meters high. It is the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great built in the 15th century. There are twenty-two large bells and over thirty small ones in it. The main and the tallest tower of the Kremlin is the Spasskaya tower. It has become one of the symbols of Moscow. People all over Russia listen to the Kremlin clock on the Spasskaya tower striking midnight and it seems to them that they are listening to the beating of the heart of our capital.

The largest cathedral, the Uspenski (Assumption), was built in the 15th century. The Archangel Cathedral was built in 1505 by the Italian architect. The Tombs of the Moscow tsars are here, among them the graves of Ivan the Terrible, of his son Ivan, and of his second son, Tsar Fyodor. The Blagoveshchensk (Annunciation) Cathedral was built in 1484, by architects from Pskov. It is noted for the unusual oil paintings done in the 15th and 16th centuries by Andrei Rublev and his pupils, the greatest artists of the time.

Granovitaya Palata (Palace), was built in the end of the 15th century by Marco Ruffo and Pietro Solari. In this palace the Moscow tsars held magnificent receptions in honour of foreign ambassadors. The Granovitaya Palace is connected with the enormous Grand Kremlin Palace.

Among other historical monuments of the Kremlin are The Tsar Cannon (16th century) and the Tsar Bell (18th century), both of enormous size and made by Russian masters.

 

Vocabulary:

red-brick - из красного кирпича

reinforced - укрепленный

sovereign - монарх

Armory Chamber - Оружейная Палата

Diamond Fund - Алмазный Фонд

the tombs of tsars - гробницы царей

oil painting - картина маслом

magnificent - пышный

to hold receptions in honour of smb. - проводить приемы в честь кого-либо

ambassador - посол

the Grand Kremlin Palace - Большой Кремлевский дворец

of enormous size - огромного размера

 

I II. Выполните следующие задания:

1.    Прочитайте текст не пользуясь словарем.

2.    Найдите место в тексте, где говорится о Псковских зодчих.

3.    Сравните Кремль и Тауэр.

4.    Расскажите о Башнях Кремля.

5.    Расскажите о всех соборах на территориях Кремля.

6.    Что является символом Москвы?

7.    Скажите, что нового вы узнали из текста о Кремле?

 

 

Unit 7

Conversational topic Great Britain

Text 1

The British Isles

The British Isles consist of two main islands: Great Britain and Ireland. These and over five hundred small islands are known collectively as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Their total area is about 120.000 square miles, i.e. one thirtieth of the size of Europe. Great Britain proper comprises England, Wales and Scotland. The West coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, its East coast by the North Sea and the South coast by the English Channel.

Once the British Isles were part of the mainland of Europe: the chalk ridge which ends in the cliffs at Dover reappears on the coast of France opposite and the coal that lies beneath the chalk in Kent is also found in France. This suggest that there was originally no break between these same geological formations on either side of the Strait.

The seas round the British Isles are shallow. The North Sea is nowhere more than 600 feet deep. This shallowness is in some ways an advantage, Shallow water is warmer than deep water and helps to keep the shores from extreme cold.

The coast line is deeply indented. This indentation gives a good supply of splendid harbors for ships and owing to the shape of the country there is no point in it that is more than seventy miles from the sea. The western coats are very broken by high rocky cliffs and the eastern are more regular in outline.

There are three distinct regions in Scotland. There is the Highlands, then there is the central plain or Lowlands and finally there are the southern uplands with their gently rounded hills where the sheep wander.

In England and Wales all the high land is in the west and northwest. The south-eastern plain reaches the west coast at the Bristol Channel and by the mouths of the rivers Dee and Mersey.

The Cheviots separates England from Scotland in the North, the Pennines going down England like a backbone and the Cumbrian mountains of the Lake District, one of the loveliest parts of England.

The south eastern part of England is a low-lying land with gentle hills and a coast which is regular in outline, sandy or muddy, with occasional chalk cliffs and inland, a lovely pattern of green and gold-for most of England’s wheat is grown here - and brown plough - land with pleasant farms and cottages in their midst.

The longest rivers, except the Severn and Clyde, flow into the North Sea. The rivers of Britain are no great value as water-ways - the longest, the Thames, is a little over 200 miles - and few of them are navigable.

In the estuaries of the Thames, Mersey, Tyne, Clude, Tay, Forth and Bristol Avon are some of the greatest ports.

The outstanding features of the climate of Britain are its humidity, its mildness, and its variability. These characteristics are due to the fact that the prevailing winds blow from the ocean, they are mild in winter and cool in summer, and are heavily charged with moisture at all times. The wettest parts of Britain are: the Western Highlands of Scotland, the Lake District, and North Wales. The eastern side of Britain is said to be in the rain-shadow. The wettest seasons are autumn and winter but in the district between the Humber and the Thames most rain falls in summer half of the year. Oxford, for example, has 29 percent of its rain in summer and only 22 percent in winter.

Britain has warmer winters than any other district in the same latitude, The Gulf Stream flows from the Gulf of Mexico transfers a great deal of heat from equatorial regions to north - western Europe. For many parts of the British Isles February is the coldest month and usually August the hottest month.

England is a highly developed industrial country. One of the leading industries of Great Britain is the textile industry. The main centers of the textile region are Liverpool and Manchester. Manchester is the chief cotton manufacturing city surrounded by a number of towns. Every town has specialized in producing certain kinds of yarn and fabrics. Plants producing textile machinery not only satisfy the needs of British industry but also export great quantities of machinery to the other countries. Northern and Western England is a coal, metal and textile country. The most ancient centers of English iron and steel industry are Birmingham and Sheffield. Iron smelting based on local ore deposits has been practiced here since ancient times. In the period of England’s industrialization Birmingham and Sheffield played the leading role in the creation of England’s heavy industry. Newcastle is a city famous for its shipbuilding yards and its ex-port of coal.

Although Britain is a densely populated, industrialized country, agriculture is still one of its most important industries. The south of England is rural, with many fertile valleys, well-cultivated fields and pastures.

The south - eastern coast is well -known for its picturesque scenery and mild climate and a number of popular resorts. On the southern coast of England there are many large ports, among them: Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth.

 

Vocabulary

to comprise - заключать в себе, охватывать

shallow - мелкий

advantage - преимущество

to intent - вырезать, делать выемку

harbor - гавань

distinct - определенный; отдельный; отличный (от других)

plain - равнина

uplands - гористая часть страны

mouth - устье (реки)

backbone - хребет

the Lake District - Озерный Край (очень красивое место, которое известно благодаря трем поэтам, которые там жили)

estuary - эстуарий, широкое устье реки

humidity - влажность, сырость

variability - изменчивость, непостоянство

moisture - влажность, влага

to charge - насыщать

yarn - пряжа; нить

fabric - ткань, материал

deposits - залежи

to practise - заниматься (чем-либо); практиковать

yards - верфи

fertile - плодородный

resort - курорт

 

I. Answer the questions:

1.    What do we call the group of islands situated to the north-west of Europe?

2.    What are the names of the biggest islands?

3.    Do the United Kingdom and Great Britain mean the same?

4.    What countries are situated on the British Isles? What are their capitals?

5.    What are the names of the waters washing the coasts of the British Isles?

6.    How can you characterize the surface of the British Isles?

7.    What distinct regions are there in Scotland?

8.    Are there a lot of long and deep rivers in Great Britain?

9.    What are the most important rivers in Great Britain?

10.  What are the names of the chief mountain ranges on the island?

11.  What is the climate of Great Britain?

12.  Why is the climate of the British Isles milder than that of the Continent?

13.  The UK is a highly developed industrial country, isn’t it? What does it produce and export?

14.  What industrial cities are there in Great Britain?

 

II. Translate into English

1.    Пролив Ла-Манш отделяет Великобританию от континента.

2.    Пролив не широкий, не более 32 км.

3.    Великобритания - одна из наиболее густонаселенных стран мира.

4.    Население Великобритании в основном городское и составляет 57 миллионов человек.

5.    Британские острова состоят из гористой части и низин.

6.    Реки в Великобритании не очень длинные.

7.    На климат Великобритании оказывает влияние Гольфстрим.

8.    Сегодня Великобритания - крупный производитель железа и стали, электронного и магнитного оборудования, текстиля.

 

III. Speak about (use the map):

1.    the geographical position of Great Britain;

2.    English scenery and climate;

3.    Great Britain as a highly developed country

 

Text 2

Parliament of Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. The Parliament consists of two chambers. The House of Commons having 630 members and the House of Lords with approximately 800 peers.

That party which obtains the majority of seats in the House is called the Government, and the others - the Opposition.

The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party that has a majority in the House of Commons. All the affairs of the state are conducted in the name of the Queen, but it is the Prime Minister who is the ruler of the country, presiding over the meetings of the Cabinet, which are always secret. The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and ministers.

Any M.P. (member of the Parliament) may introduce a bill to the Parliament. Every bill has three readings at first in the House of Commons. There is no debate allowed after the first reading. After the second reading there may be a discussion. The speaker calls upon different members who are eager to speak. After the discussion the voting is done.

After the third reading the bill goes before the House of Lords. If the Lords agree to the bill, it will be placed before the Queen for signature. The Queen having signed it, it becomes an Act of Parliament.

There are main political parties in Great Britain: the Conservative, the Liberal and the Labor.

 

Vocabulary:

affairs - дела

to conduct - проводить

to preside (over) - председательствовать; осуществлять контроль, руководство

to introduce - вносить на рассмотрение

to call - называть; вызывать

voting - голосование

the bill goes before - законопроект представляется

to sign - подписывать

act - закон

the Conservative, the Liberal, the Labour parties - Консервативная, Либеральная, Лейбористская партии

 

IV. Answer the questions:

1.    The UK is a constitutional monarchy. What does it mean?

2.    How many chambers does the British Parliament consists of? What are they?

3.    What are the main political parties in Great Britain?

4.    Who is the Prime Minister of Great Britain?

5.    Which political party does he represent?

6.    What is the name of the Queen of Great Britain?

7.    What stages does a bill introduced to the Parliament pass?

8.    When does a bill become an Act of Parliament?

 

Unit 8

Conversational topic London

Text 1

London is one of the largest and most interesting cities in the world. London today stretches for nearly thirty miles from north to south and for nearly thirty miles from east to west. This is the area known as «Greater London», with a population of nine million. The River Thames winds its way through London and divides it into the two parts known as the north bank and the south bank. Fifteen bridges span it, perhaps the best known being Westminster, Waterloo, Tower and London bridges.

Traditionally London is divided into Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other.

The heart of London is the City - its commercial and business center. The City of London is a very small part of the whole; it is only one square mile in area, and the number of people who live and sleep in the City is only about ten thousand. Numerous banks, offices and firms are concentrated here, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey, where important criminal trials take place. Visitors who come to learn about London’s history will find much to interest them in the City. Here most of the streets are narrow, and traffic is often very slow.

The most striking building in the City is St. Paul’s Cathedral designed by famous English architect, Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723). St. Paul’s Cathedral with its huge dome and rows of columns is considered to be a fine specimen of Renaissance architecture. In one of its towers hangs one of the largest bells in the world, Great Paul, weighing about 17.5 tons. Wellington, Nelson and other great men of England are buried in the Cathedral.

Round St. Paul’s is the original London, the oldest part, with a history of almost two thousand years. Westminster, with its Palace and Abbey, is six hundred years younger.

The ancient City of London has always governed itself and has not shared in the government of the rest of London. The City has its own Lord Mayor and its own Corporation. Ever since 1215 the Lord Mayor has been chosen annually. He begins his duties on 8 November, and in the following day there is procession which is known as the Lord Mayor’s Show.

The Tower of London doesn’t belong to the City, though it stood there for almost nine hundred years. It is more connected with the royal dynasties, than with the world of business. The Tower was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal residence and a prison. Now it is a museum of armor and also a place where the Crown Jewels are kept. In present days, just as many centuries ago, the Ceremony of the Keys takes place at its gates every night.

As, during the Middle Ages, London increased in size and wealth, the old City and the area round the Royal Palace at Westminster became the two chief centers. The nobles, bishops, judges, and others who were connected with the Court, lived in or near Westminster. This explain how the part of London that we now call the West End came into being. And because Henry VIII was fond of hunting we have, today, three parks that form a continuous stretch of green: St James’s Park, the Green Park, and Hyde Park.

The Court moved to St. James’s in the eighteenth century, and to Buckingham Palace in the nineteenth century. Both of these are in the City of Westminster. Here, and farther west, are the finest theatres, cinemas and concert halls, the large museums, the most luxurious hotels, the largest department stores and the most famous shops. The name «West End» came to be associated with wealth, luxury, and goods of high quality.

Not far from Westminster where most of the Government buildings are situated is Westminster Abbey, at which all British Kings and queens have been crowned. It dates back to 1049. Many English sovereigns, outstanding statesmen, painters and poets are buried here.

Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, the seat of the British Parliament. Its two graceful towers stand high above the city. The higher of the two largest clock in the country and the famous bell Big Ben that strikes every quarter of the hour.

The Queen lives in Buckingham Palace for much of the year, but there are other royal palaces in London.

Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of London. It was so named in memory of the victory in the battle of Trafalgar, where in October 21, 1805 the English fleet under Nelson’s command defeated the combined fleet of France and Spain. The victory was won at the cost of Nelson’s life. In the middle of Trafalgar Square stands Nelson’s monument. The column is guarded by four bronze lions.

The fine building facing the square is the National Gallery and adjoining it (but just round the corner) is the Portrait Gallery.

The East End is the part of London east of the City. The East End is unattractive in appearance, but very important to the country’s commerce. On the river there are ocean -going ships and lines of barges pulled along by tugs. Ships up to 6000 tons can come as far as London Bridge. The Port of London, of which the docks form a part, has 69 miles of waterways and is one of the two of three greatest ports in the world.

Greater London, with its million population, includes the outer suburbs. Because London has grown so large, the Government has decided that it must spread no farther. It is now surrounded by a «green belt», a belt of agricultural and wooded land on which new buildings may be put up only with the permission of the planning authorities.

 

Vocabulary

to span - соeдинять

the Bank if England - Английский банк

the Stock Exchange - Лондонская фондовая биржа

the Old Bailey - центральный уголовный суд, находящийся в Олд-Берли

The Duke of Wellington - известный Британский генерал, чья армия разбила Наполеона в сражении при Ватерлоо в 1815

Nelson - английский адмирал, который выиграл сражение при Трафальгаре

Corporation - Совет, состоящий из группы людей, выбранных для управления городом

Court - Двор (приближенные короля или королевы)

bishop - епископ

graceful - грациозный

to adjoin - примыкать

tug - буксирный пароход

wooded land - зеленая зона; территория, где растут деревья

 

I.    Answer the questions:

1.    What is the territory and population of Greater London?

2.    How many bridges are there in London?

3.    What parts is London divided into?

4.    What are different parts of London famous for?

5.    What do you know about the City?

6.    Who was St Paul’s Cathedral built by?

7.    What was the Tower of London used for?

8.    Who founded the Tower and when was it rebuilt?

9.    What is the historic, the governmental part of London?

10.  What building has more historic associations than any other building in London?

11.  What is the royal residence in London?

12.  Can you describe Trafalgar Square?